Nail fungus is also known as onychomycosis. It is a nail condition that affects both the toenails and fingernails. It is caused by fungus. Most of the time, this causes yellowing or a type of nail discoloration as the fungus goes deeper into the tissues. Nail fungus may sometimes be painful and result in the nail separating from the nail bed. This condition is scientifically known as onycholysis. Fungal infections are quite common due to the presence of microscopic fungi, yeasts, and molds in the environment. Toenails are more susceptible to infection because of the environment where they are often kept, which is warm and moist, the environment they can thrive best.
Symptoms
When you have any of such symptoms, it is better to seek the advice of a physician. Nail fungal infections are treatable, but they can be stubborn. When they are left untreated though, the infection may become worse. The following are the most common symptoms of a nail fungal infection: discolored nails, nails with yellow streaks on them, debris buildup under the nails, separation of the nail from the nail bed, white spots on the nail surface, thickened, dull, and misshapen nails, and brittle and ragged nails.
Diagnosis
The doctor may look for the symptoms above to be able to diagnose or rule out the condition. A nail sample may be obtained from the person which will be sent to a lab and examined under a microscope.
Treatments
Several courses of action may be suggested by the physician. Oral antifungal medications may be prescribed which have to be taken for several weeks to months. This is the most aggressive type of nail fungus treatment. Doctorsmay also prescribe topical antifungals, which can be in the form of nail lacquers, creams, and lotions. There are cases when a combination therapy of these two is advised by the doctor.
1All about the Reishi Fruiting Body
Reishi mushroom is a fungus that thrives in hot and humid places around Asia. It is also called lingzhi and the scientific name Ganoderma lucidum. For centuries, this mushroom has become a common element in Eastern medicine.
These mushrooms are a rare find and when they have first used thousands of years ago in Asian cultures they were reserved for royalty. Today, you may find them to be cultivated commercially and sold in different forms, which include teas, capsules, tinctures, and even hot cocoa, energy bars, and beauty products. They can be eaten raw, but they can be bitter-tasting with a woody texture.
In the history of holistic medicine, the reishi mushroom has been considered and known as an adaptogenic herb. This means that it can help your body adapt to the negative impact of stress which includes depleted energy, increased inflammation, damaged blood vessels, and different types of hormonal imbalances.
Reishi mushrooms grow above the ground. They produce what is known as the “fruiting body” together with connective strands known as mycelium, which are made into different forms of herbal medicines and health supplements.
In the history of Chinese traditional medicine, reiki mushrooms were dried, sliced, boiled, and then steeped to create a therapeutic tea or soup. The manufacturers of reishi products today only use a processing technique that entails boiling the reishi numerous times at a high temperature which enables its active ingredients to be extracted and formed as a tincture.
Nutritional Profile
Reishi mushroom is one of the most studied herbs in the world. More than four decades of scientific research studies have been devoted to it. Most of these are from Japan. Reishi has manifested itself as a bioactive nutrient powerhouse. Studies have shown reishi to contain more than 400 different compounds, which include nucleotides, polysaccharides, steroids, sterols, triterpenoids, proteins/peptides, trace elements, mannitol, and fatty acids.
As Antifungal or Antimicrobial
Reishi mushrooms or Ganoderma lucidum are known for their pharmacological and biological activities which include an antimicrobial effect. Mushrooms are known for their prebiotic actions. They enhance the growth of beneficial flora which may eliminate candida. A study has shown a reishi extract to have the ability to reduce the adhesion and prevent the synthesis of C Albicans biofilm, which is the mechanism in which Candida becomes chronic.
Other Health Benefits
It’s critical that you consult first with your physician before you start supplementing with reishi mushrooms. But once you get the green light from your doctor, the following are many ways your health may benefit from reishi:
Boosts the Immune System
Reishi mushrooms have been used as a potent immune system booster. They have been used in Asian cultures as an immunostimulant for patients who suffer from HIV and cancer. The mushrooms have beta glucans or complex sugars that are believed to strengthen the immune system and prevent infections.
Reduces Blood Pressure
The compounds found in reishi mushrooms may help reduce blood pressure levels, based on a 2014 study. But if you are under blood pressure medication, consult with your doctor first before you take reishi. It might be a dangerous combination that can lower your blood pressure level critically.
Supports Brain Health
Animal studies have shown that reishi mushrooms may help treat neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and help protect the brain from seizures. However, more studies have to be done to confirm this.
Fights Off Allergies
Several studies have exhibited that reishi mushrooms possess antihistamine effects and have the ability to increase the oxygen supply of the body. This is critical for those who suffer from chronic and allergic asthma.
Supports Liver Health
Reishi supports liver health and also protects it. This is crucial when you suffer from Candida overgrowth. This herb can process Candida metabolites such as gliotoxin and acetaldehyde that are found in your gut. If such toxins build up in your body, they can be detrimental to your health. A reishi extract that has triterpenoids has shown to have a hepatoprotective effect. This works by taking out free radicals from the liver, protecting the healthy cells while at it. On the other hand, polysaccharides that can be extracted from reishi may normalize Aminotransferase levels after six months of usage. Aminotransferase is a liver enzyme that can be at abnormal levels in patients who suffer from chronic hepatitis.
